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Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC): preliminary findings
W A Neal1, E Demerath, E Gonzales
1Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, USA.
Insights
West Virginia has high cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates. A pilot project in Appalachian communities identified significant CVD risk factors in children, offering a chance for statewide intervention to improve heart health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Health Promotion
Background:
- West Virginia exhibits some of the highest cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity rates globally.
- Addressing modifiable risk factors like poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and tobacco use is crucial for reducing premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in Appalachia.
- School-based health promotion programs are effective in influencing health behaviors of students and their families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence of CVD risk factors among elementary school children in rural West Virginia.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based program in identifying children and parents at risk for CHD.
- To propose a statewide CVD intervention project leveraging existing partnerships.
Main Methods:
- Pilot phase of the Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) project.
- Screening of 347 fifth-grade students across three rural West Virginia counties.
- Utilizing the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP) framework.
Main Results:
- The CARDIAC pilot project revealed a high incidence of CVD risk factors among participating fifth-grade children.
- The program successfully identified children and their parents who are at risk for developing CHD.
- The study demonstrated the potential for a school-based approach to community-wide cardiovascular health.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors exists in young populations in rural West Virginia.
- School-based interventions are a viable strategy for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
- The established infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to implement the first statewide CVD intervention project in the nation.
Abstract:
West Virginia's mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the highest in the developed world. Appalachia, and West Virginia in particular, could reduce the high prevalence of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) by addressing modifiable independent risk factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. School-based health promotion programs have been shown to be an effective means of influencing student and parental health behavior. The pilot phase of the Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) project substantiated an alarmingly high incidence of CVD risk factors among 347 fifth grade children from three rural counties, and was also an effective means of identifying parents at risk of developing CHD. Utilization of the innovative Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP), coupled with a health conscious public school system, offers a unique opportunity to establish the first statewide cardiovascular disease community intervention project in the nation.